3 - Gestalt Theory

Question 1

What is Gestalt

Answer 1

In the 1920s, a group of cognitive psychologists in Germany developed a series of theories of visual perception known as the Gestalt Principles. These laws explain our perceptual tendencies and describe how humans typically see objects by grouping similar elementes, recognizing patterns and simplifying complex images. Artists use these principles to engage viewers via powerful “tricks” of composition and best practice design standards.

Question 2

What is the primary objective of a good lighting?

Answer 2

It’s to show the viewer where to look.

Question 3

Six examples of the gestalt Laws

Answer 3

Law of similarity, law of pragnanz or the Law of good figure, law of proximity, law of continuity, law of closure, law of common region.

Question 4

Similarity principle

Answer 4

Similar objects will be counted as the same group and this technique can be used to draw a viewer’s attention. In lighting this principle would be grouping with light and shadow.

Question 5

Simplicity principle(Pragnanz or Good Figure)

Answer 5

A stimulus will be organized into as good a figure as possible…When learners are presented with visuals, there ir an unconscious effort to simplify what is perceived onto what the viewer can understand. In lighting it is pretty compulsory to have a clear and simpoe read on a shot. We do not want the viewer to be guessing if this is light or shadow.

Question 6

Why the foreground area of a shot will be in shadow very often?

Answer 6

Because it guides the eye

Question 7

Proximity principle

Answer 7

THe law of proximity states that items placed near each other appear to be a group. The brain tends to group objects that are close to each other.

Question 8

Continuation principle

Answer 8

Continuation is the eyee’s instinctive action to follow a direction derived from the visual field.

Question 9

Figure and Ground principle

Answer 9

Negative or empty spaces will likewise be organized and grouped. For example, two different foreground colors let the viewer percieve different things from the same illustration.

Question 10

Closure principle

Answer 10

Patterns or objects that cotinue in one direction, even if interrupted by another patter, are perceived as being continuous. Our mind will tend to close gaps and complete unfinished forms.

Question 11

Unity and Harmony principle

Answer 11

Unity impliesthat a congruity or arrangement exists among the elements in a design; they look as through they belong together, as though there is some visual connection beyond mere chanve that has caused them to come together. The elements of the composition appear to beling together, relate to each other, and to otherwise visually agree.

Question 12

Common fate principle

Answer 12

Humans percieve visual elements that move in the same speed and/or direction as parts of a single stimulus. A common example of this is a flock of birds.

Question 13

Two of its more important aplications:

Answer 13

Emphasis(principle of focal pint) and Balance.

Question 14

Every visual presentation needs a focal point, also called:

Answer 14

center of interest or point of emphasis

Question 15

A composition may have more than one focal point, but one should “ “

Answer 15

dominate

Question 16

An image without emphasis is like

Answer 16

wallpaper, the eye has no particular place to look and no reward for having tried.

Question 17

Contrast emphasis

Answer 17

Contrast can be achieved with shape, size, color, texture, brightness or even motion. A focal point results when one element differs significantly from other elements. Unique or minority elements within larger groups tend to attract our attention.

Question 18

Tangent definition

Answer 18

where to edges just touch each other, can produce a strong point of emphasis by creating visual tension

Question 19

90% of the time you want to avoid “ “

Answer 19

tangents

Question 20

Can be created intentionally to attract viewer interest; however, most of the time they are accidental and distracting.

Answer 20

tangents

Question 21

Isolation emphasis

Answer 21

When object defies grouping, by not being near or similar to any other object, it calls attention to itself and becomes a point of emphasis through tension

Question 22

Using perspective angles and other edges, lead the eye to the focal point

Answer 22

Angle emphasis

Question 23

Shape emphasis

Answer 23

The brain tends to characterize shape as either rectilinear or curvilinear, by creating an image with primarily one type, the other type becomes a point of emphasis

Question 24

An angle will cath more or less attention than a circle?

Answer 24

more

Question 25

Recognition emphasis

Answer 25

Human or anthropomorphic characters will naturally attract more attention than inanimate objects.

Question 26

Motion emphasis

Answer 26

if all objects are moving except one, the eye will be drawn to the one wich is not moving and viceversa.

Question 27

Balance

Answer 27

when an object is unbalanced, it looks as though it will topple over, an entire unbalanced image will make the viewer uncimfortable because he wants to balance it, but cannot. This discomfort can be desirable if it enhances the mood or story point.

Question 28

Off-balance camera is called “ “

Answer 28

dutch angle

Question 29

The height of a character can say something about….

Answer 29

his importance

Question 30

two simmetry balacance

Answer 30

vertical and horizontal

Question 31

The horizontal format of zinema is most affected by left/right ratio or top/down

Answer 31

left/right ratio

Question 32

asymetrical balance

Answer 32

a scale is balanced by putting equal weight on both sides. Visual interest becomes the unit of measure in composition. Visual interest comes in many shapes, sizes, values, colors and textures, each with varying density.

Question 33

balance by value

Answer 33

a small area of high contrast will command an equal amount of attention as a large, low contrast area

Question 34

balance by color

Answer 34

a small area of bright color can balance a much larger area duller, more neutral color

Question 35

balance by shape

Answer 35

a large, simple shape can balance a smaller, more complicated one

Question 36

balance by texture

Answer 36

a busy, high contrast texture on a small shape will balance a larger shape with a smooth, matte surface

Question 37

balance by position

Answer 37

a large element placed close to the center of the image can be balanced by a smaller element placed near the edge

Question 38

a good framing is more important than

Answer 38

a good lighting